#read goddamit

[sayingwordsthatmatterkinda]

Jax being afraid of corn 🌽 could be a reference to the short story, “It’s a Good Life”. A story about a town being bent to the whims of a young boy.

https://graemearkell.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/4/8/38485229/its_a_good_life.pdf

There was an episode of the Twilight Zone that covered the same story. We know that Jax knows TV and media very well.

Maybe he saw that episode or read the short story online somewhere before finding the circus.

In the story, the cornfield in the town is where people and things Anthony (The child) doesn’t like are sent and never seen again.

https://youtu.be/MVwxyHGVppE?feature=shared

Caine, in this scenario, is Anthony. Caine sends the characters to the basement when they abstract. Essentially making his own cornfield.

Jax is at the whims of Caine or the circus itself. He’s well aware now more than ever due to the whole vegan thing.

He’s scared of corn because he knows it all ends with abstraction and the basement when he’s no longer needed. To Jax, corn represents death and eternal hell.

That, or maybe he got lost in a corn maze once.

[figurelifeflirt]

Rising Fury by Wayne Stinnett

Jesse McDermitt book #12

Originally published: 12/27/2017

Started 9/20/25 Finished: 7/20/26

Jesse, it is lovely to see you again. And thank you for finally giving Devon the boot. I knew she wasn't right for you.

Eugene. He would be a fun villain for couple chapters but overall, he was boring.

At least we got to see a dirty cop, thank you Steve Brady.

My favorite of Jesse's friend's Andrew Burke, we barely got to see you. That's not fair.

Kim and Marty got engaged. Kim, I am so exited for your wedding.

[figurelifeflirt]

The Sun Trail by Erin Hunter

Dawn Of The Clans(Warriors prequel series) book 1

Started 6/8/24 finished 7/10/26

Originally published: 2013

I've known for a while that I slack off with my reading during Olympic years but has it ever gotten this bad.

This book is only finished book number 4 for 2026. That's it, 4.

I mean there were some other life events that took time away from reading but still, I don't like this.

My favorite of the male cats is Jagged Peak. My favorite of the female cats was Bright Stream.

I have not found a female cat I like more than Bright Stream but I admit that Petal has potential.

Clear Sky, if you let yourself be angry do you know what it would do?

You have potential to be a really good villain if you give in to the anger that comes from losing everything that you have lost.

Come on, get angry, it's fun.

While I was reading this book, I noticed a strong dislike of Gray Wing from other readers.

Gray Wing and I, we are not friends but we are not enemies either. I want to keep reading. See how the author develops his character.

RIP Bright Stream. I wanted you so badly to relize that Clear Sky wasn't good enough for you. I wanted you to do great things. It's not fair.

[figurelifeflirt]

Bluebird by Sharon Cameron

Standalone

Originally published: October 2021

Started 6/22/25 Finished 4/13/26

I know I said Olympic years mess up my reading schedule but how in the actual fuck have I not finished a book since February?

I came back to Historical fiction after a break from the genre.

Even though the surgery ruined her, I became very invested in Anne Marie/Bridget's story.

Rolf definitely gets the side villain medal. I was so impressed with him.

[figurelifeflirt]

2010s YA fantasy is where it's at. Ten times better than today's romantasy slop.

This is the book 1 of the Chronicles of Nick Series. It is part of an eight book series. It is the prequel series to Sherrilyn's "Dark Hunter" books. I don't plan on reading the Dark Hunter series because it's 25 books and I don't have time for that. Even though the Dark Hunter series was published first, you don't need to read it to understand these books.

I classify this book as YA even though our main character is a high school freshmen. There are adult characters, other than parents.

Because we are looking through the lenses of a 14 year old boy, the language can be juvenile sometimes but it doesn't bother me. There's still plenty of fantasy violence to keep adult readers entertained.

This book was written in 2010 and it does definitely borrow some things from Buffy. There's zombies, vampire slayers and lots more fantasy creatures. I'm only on chapter five but I'm already hooked.

The book is on on the mid-length side, just short of 500 pages. There are some long chapters but nothing longer than 30 pages.

Go, put down whatever romantasy slop you're reading and read some real fantasy.

[figurelifeflirt]

Sword catcher by Cassandra Clare

The Chronicles Of Castellane, book 1

started 7/12/25 Finished 2/12/26

First finished book of the new year, yay. And I thought the Olympics would disrupt my reading, nope.

The internet is wrong. Kel and Lin are not endgame. Kel and Antonetta are endgame.

I love Antonetta so so much. Do I see why the internet is comparing her to Grace Blackthorn, kind of. But Grace was an acquired taste for me. Antonetta, after about 20 pages I was in love.

My favorite male character was surprisingly Joss. I mean I usually love the party boys. But Joss and the atmosphere that surrounds him. I feel that's what makes this book an adult novel as opposed to Cassie's many YA novels.

Even though the book dosen't have a lot of sex. It's the language, the themes that make it adult. It's subtle and I think someone that is still considered a young adult like 18 or 19 would still connect to this book.

I myself was a late CC reader. I didn't start until 17.

Connor's treatment of Lin. Yes he was in the wrong. But Connor is still very precious to me, and I hope the internet doesn't label him a misogynist.

I will be continuing on with this series. CC continues to captivate me with her words and her characters.

[figurelifeflirt]

Make You Beg by Shantel Tessier

standalone, with connections to other Shantel series

Started 2/27/25 finished October 1st 2025

Originally published: 3/17/2021

Henley isn't like Pen Douglas's girls but we didn't come here for her. These boys, they would give the horsemen a run for their money. So good.

My favorite was Rellik. But I also adored Scout. I plan to read a lot more Shantel Tessier books. This was really fun.

My favorite part was Dax's little side plot with Brittany Shepard. I was so impressed with the follow-through these boys had. Imagine what they'll be like when they hit their 20s. Provided that Scout is still alive, which I like to think that he is.

Side note: I hate to admit but I am in a slight reading slump. I think it started sometime at the beginning of September. I am starting to dig myself out. This is finished book number 14!

[figurelifeflirt]

The Murder Club by Alexandra Ivy

Pike Wisconsin series book number 5

Released: February 20th, 2024

Started: 3/30/24

Finished: 12/10/24

So far, there hasn't been any talk about another book for this series. But I'm not sure if I would read it. The sex scenes were cheesy.

Eric. I felt sorry for Eric. But at the same time he impressed me. To be 22 and have that much follow through. Even if sometimes it did bite him in the ass.

Despite me being impressed with Eric. The villains overall still feel like such a downgrade from what we had in the first 2 books of the series.